Vaccine-induced immunity and protection against invasive meningococcal serogroup ACWY disease in the Netherlands

Worldwide, the meningococcal bacterium is responsible for a severe, and sometimes lethal infection: invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Infection can quickly progress into severe illness or death, despite quick and adequate medical care including antibiotic treatment. Vaccination is crucial in the prevention of IMD by inducing the production of antibodies that prevent development of this disease. In the Netherlands, meningococcal serogroep C (MenC) vaccination was included in the national immunization program (NIP) for children 14 months of age in 2002. Because of an outbreak of IMD caused b... Mehr ...